Nottinghanshire CCC bowler Luke Fletcher joins Surrey on loan

Sports Reporter

Nottinghamshire fast bowler Luke Fletcher is joining Surrey on a month’s loan for red ball cricket, but will remain available for Notts Outlaws in the NatWest T20 Blast.

The 26-year-old will be available for the second division county’s fixtures against Northamptonshire, Kent, Lancashire and Leicestershire.

He is yet to make an appearance for the Nottinghamshire first team in 2015. However, Director of Cricket Mick Newell expects him to feature prominently between now and the end of the season.

“If we’re going to challenge in three competitions, we need a strong squad of bowlers,” said Newell.

“Having that strong group isn’t just about having them in the squad, it’s about maintaining their form and match fitness too.

“This is a good opportunity for Fletch to get some red ball bowling under his belt.

“If he takes wickets down there and comes back with some confidence and form behind him, it will certainly help his chances of playing in our four day team.

“It would be good for Fletch, good for Notts and good for Surrey if that was the case.

“In the meantime, we know what he’s all about in Twenty20 cricket.

“He has a set of skills with the white ball that he consistently executes. Even if the batsmen know what’s coming, it’s another thing batting against it, so Fletch will have a big role to play for us in T20 cricket, during this loan and beyond it.”

Fletcher has taken 203 first-class wickets in 66 appearances for Nottinghamshire, as well as earning plaudits for his specialist death bowling in the shorter formats of the game.

“It’s an opportunity for me to get some first-class cricket under my belt – to take some wickets, to contribute to Surrey and hopefully force my way back into the Notts team,” added Fletcher.

“At the same time, I’m absolutely buzzing for the NatWest T20 Blast with Notts.

“I’ve been looking forward to this tournament for a long time, working hard with our bowling coach Andy Pick on my white ball skills ready for a massive game at Trent Bridge on Friday.”